by Olena Newkryta, 2017, 7'
7’47’’. Courtesy the artist
Presented at Lo schermo dell'arte 2020The film is part of VISIO – European Programme on Artists’ Moving Images - 9th edition
Is it possible to satisfy the desire for human contact through the digital dimension exclusively? To Hand. A Projection For The Palm reflects on the need and lack of physical connection that characterizes long-distance relationships. The idea for the work came when Newkryta moved to Austria and left her family and loved ones in the Ukraine. The video of the artist’s hand offers a virtual caress to anyone who positions himself, voluntarily or not, in front of the projection cone. Delicate and fragile, this gesture establishes a moment of ephemeral union between artist and visitor, made even more intense after the months of isolation and social distancing due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Olena Newkryta (1990, Ukraine/Austria) is a visual artist, whose interdisciplinary work includes photography, video and installations. Her artistic practice examines social fabrics, the production of cultural identity and space with regard to historical and political narratives.
Olena has received several prizes and grants, such as START-scholarship of the Federal Ministry for Culture, Grant of the Federal Ministry for Science, Award of the Kunsthalle Vienna. Her works have been presented at numerous exhibitions and screenings, including Kunstforum Vienna, Kunsthalle Vienna, Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz, Fotogalerie Vienna, Musrara Mix Festival Jerusalem, Crossing Europe Filmfestival, Blickle Kino Vienna. She studied at the University of Applied Arts Vienna as well as at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam.